A record number of projects have benefited from Bristol Airport community funding
It’s been a record year for Bristol Airport’s Local Community Fund and the new Diamond Fund with 61 individual local projects benefiting from both funds.
In total, £118,000 was granted to support local community projects, with grants ranging from £400 to £8,000 in 2024. This includes grants for a noise insulation project for Groundwork South - Goblin Combe Lodge in Cleeve, solar panels for Felton Village Hall, a biodiversity scheme for Alive Activities in Bristol and improvements to Backwell Playing Fields Charity. In total, £1.7 million has been granted to projects in the surrounding community of Bristol Airport since the fund was set up in 2012.
The Airport Environmental and Amenity Improvement Fund (known as the Bristol Airport Local Community Fund) was set up as one of the commitments the Airport agreed to provide in connection with the planning permission for development.
Each year, Bristol Airport will contribute £100,000 to the Bristol Airport Local Community Fund. The Fund’s Management Committee meets on a quarterly basis and includes representatives from both the Airport, North Somerset Council and is independently chaired.
Meanwhile, the Diamond Fund supports projects in the local area which do not meet the criteria for the Local Community Fund.
Cllr Paul Hatherell, Chair of Winford Parish Council, explained how the funding would be used:
“Felton Village Hall says a very big thankyou to Bristol Airport’s Local Community Fund for its support in our mutual aims to reduce the local environmental impact, with its significant grant to the Village Hall for the installation of additional solar panels and battery storage. By also saving us money on the cost of energy, we will be able to support more community activities with reductions in hire charges, and incentives to create local interest groups. It will also help in securing the longevity of an important amenity in the local area.”
Hannah Baker, Area Programme Manager Groundwork South, said:
"We're delighted to have received funding from Bristol Airport's Local Community Fund to help improve noise and heat insulation and energy efficiency at Goblin Combe Lodge - our environmental education centre on the edge of Goblin Combe woodland which helps provide access to nature for a wide range of visitors. Thanks to this funding, we'll be able to improve the sustainability of our site, strengthening our offer to further benefit the local community and beyond."
Bristol Airport is keen for as many community projects as possible to take advantage of the scheme in 2025. Any community ventures that fit the criteria are encouraged to apply for the next wave of grants. The type of projects that would benefit include:
- Schemes which improve, enhance, protect and conserve the natural environment within the vicinity of the Airport.
- Noise mitigation for non-residential buildings. (Residential buildings can apply to the separate Noise Mitigation Scheme).
- Traffic implications associated with an increase in passengers using the Airport.
- Any other projects/schemes which can demonstrate they will help mitigate an environmental and/or amenity impact that can be attributed to the Airport expanding.
Additionally, Bristol Airport pledged £200,000 to support 39 individual residents in the local area, through its Noise Mitigation Grants. These grants provide funding for noise mitigation, including new windows or acoustic loft insulation for people to mitigate the impact of aircraft.
To find out more information on the Local Community Fund or Diamond Fund, please visit the Airport’s website.
